Szydłowiecki: Culture and Cycling Routes

• Szydłowiec lies in the southern part of the Masovian Voivodeship, on the border with the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship.
• The castle stands on an artificially raised island in the floodplain of the Korzeniówka River.
• The Museum of Folk Musical Instruments was founded in 1968 and is considered the world’s first independent museum of its kind.
• Cycling routes Nos. 1, 6 and 8 are 23, 25 and 24 kilometres long, respectively; Route No. 1 also has a 33-kilometre option.

Between 1470 and 1480, Stanisław Szydłowiecki had a brick castle built in Szydłowiec. Its position on a raised island in the floodplain of the Korzeniówka River is one of its distinctive features, as is its role as an exhibition venue: the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments displays its collections in the castle chambers, including in three permanent exhibitions.

The Church of St. Sigismund also offers a tangible point of interest for those interested in cultural history. It stands on the south side of the Great Market Square and is built from local sandstone. Inside is a red marble tombstone for Mikołaj Szydłowiecki. The sandstone also points to a long local tradition: sandstone has been quarried and worked in Szydłowiec for more than 600 years.

Another stop for history enthusiasts is the Jewish cemetery in Szydłowiec, one of the largest surviving Jewish cemeteries in Poland. The symbolism of the tombstones refers to the gender, occupation and piety of the deceased. This offers a distinct way to explore the town’s history, different from the castle, church and sandstone craftsmanship.

The Museum of Folk Musical Instruments is more than just exhibitions: it offers museum classes for children and adults in the form of workshops or lectures. For families, this can make for a different kind of museum visit than viewing the three permanent exhibitions. At the Eksperymentarium Dźwięku, located in one of the oldest castle chambers and unique in Poland, visitors can play rare musical instruments and create digital compositions.

The town hall also combines historic details with a special view of the surrounding area. It was built between 1602 and 1629. Its tower houses a reconstructed workshop of Władysław Malecki and a viewing terrace; the gallery in the tower offers a wide view of the surroundings.

There are several cycling options of different lengths: cycling route No. 1 is 23 kilometres long, with a 33-kilometre option. It runs from Szydłowiec via Szydłowiec PKP, Sadek and Barak, then back to Szydłowiec. Cycling routes Nos. 6 and 8 are 25 and 24 kilometres long, respectively, and also start and end in Szydłowiec. The length and stated route of Route No. 1 give you different reference points for planning your day, without allowing you to infer a walking or cycling time.

For a walk, a 4.5-kilometre path by the reservoir leads south out of town. A combined walking and cycling promenade connects the reservoir with the Great Market Square. There are walking paths and viewing terraces at the Podkowiński quarry. You can choose between a waterside route and a visit to the quarry without treating the two as a single route.

Szydłowiec lies on the S7 national road, which runs via Gdańsk, Warsaw, Radom, Kraków and Chyżne. The section of the S7 passing through the town and municipality of Szydłowiec is named “Indiańska Droga Sat-Okha”.

If you’d like to discover more places in the sidebar, you’ll find Jastrząb, Chustki, Ostałówek, Chlewiska, Szydłowiec and Sulistrowice here. Other destinations in the travel guide include Żuromiński and Nowodworski.

How long are the cycling routes in Szydłowiec?

Cycling routes Nos. 1, 6 and 8 are 23, 25 and 24 kilometres long. Route No. 1 also has a 33-kilometre option.

What can children and adults do at the music museum?

The museum offers classes in the form of workshops or lectures. At the Eksperymentarium Dźwięku, visitors can play rare musical instruments and create digital compositions.

What walking options are available?

A 4.5-kilometre walking path by the reservoir leads south out of town. There are walking paths and viewing terraces at the Podkowiński quarry.

For the broader travel overview: Masovia.